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News Release from: Technology Innovation Centre
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 27 July 2006
New technology transfer programme
UCE Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) has been commissioned to run a major follow-up technology transfer scheme.
With the successful conclusion of Accelerate's two-year 'Design School of Excellence' (DSE) programme, UCE Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) has been commissioned to run a major follow-up technology transfer scheme The DSE programme saw TIC assist SMEs (small to medium enterprises), not only through design support but also through the introduction of related technologies
However, it also revealed that, to take full advantage of their new capabilities, companies needed to import new production and process technologies to capitalise fully on the advantages gained through DSE.
As a result TIC has been asked to deliver a new Accelerate £0.6m technology transfer programme.
Approaching 200 automotive supplier-support projects will be available to eligible SMEs.
The projects will enable SMEs to take advantage of the TIC Business Solutions team's extensive knowledge of world-class manufacturing technologies across multiple market sectors.
Hundreds of Midlands companies have benefited from TIC's technology transfer expertise through its leading role in a wide range of industrial modernisation schemes.
These have seen new technologies, and the skills to apply them, introduced to SMEs across the region.
Under the new Accelerate-managed programme SMEs will receive a visit from TIC Business Solutions specialists.
They will produce proposals with mutually agreed tasks aimed at helping the company integrate design, technology and innovation into their business.
The tasks will focus on SMEs adopting, and applying, relevant technologies, systems and procedures to help them become leaner, more efficient, cost-effective, responsive and flexible.
Through up-skilling their workforces, management teams will be helped to apply new technological solutions in order to root out wasteful activities and re-design production processes.
TIC's programme manager, Mark Paul, says:" SMEs who take full advantage of the technology transfer projects can expect to reap the rewards of improved quality and delivery whilst also reducing costs through the introduction of new products and processes".
TIC will particularly take account of the people and management skills needed to sustain performance, quality and profitability improvements.
TIC's Commercial Director Prof Ian Oakes says of the programme: "Global, competitive pressures mean the West Midlands automotive supply chain is at a critical stage".
"Nevertheless, the latest EEF Survey has found manufacturing indicators at their best level for a decade".
"In a highly competitive global environment, this Accelerate programme will help SMEs achieve sustainable improvements".
"TIC aims to help SMEs develop versatile, highly trained workforces able to apply advanced technologies".
Not only will participating SMEs' existing operations benefit but, they will also gain the confidence to move into new and diverse markets.
TIC's technology transfer will encompass collaborative know-how - an area in which it is an acknowledged leader.
This involves systems to help SMEs with new product introduction - as well as the elimination of negative environmental issues.
These technologies also help in building e-Commerce capabilities and in being able to participate in wider sector collaboration.
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